Joanne O'Connor's great escapes + Wine holidays | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/series/joanne-o-connor-great-escapes+wine-holidays
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Travel tips: savour Cognac, hike the Dales and escape to Berlin’s Hotel Zoohttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/nov/23/savour-cognac-hike-dales-escape-berlin-hotel-zoo-joanne-oconnor
<p>Sample the charms of Cognac, stroll across Derbyshire Dales, and delve into Berlin decadence</p><p><strong>Why go?</strong><br />Napoleon apparently took several barrels with him on his exile to St&nbsp;Helena, while Kanye West and P Diddy sprinkle their lyrics with references to it: cognac is one of the world’s most enduringly popular tipples and yet the corner of southwest France which produces it is largely overlooked by tourists. Between December and February, the vineyards and distillers of Poitou-Charentes throw open their gates to visitors for free visits and tastings, often accompanied by dinners or live music in the cellars, while local restaurants devise complimentary menus (<a href="http://www.cognacetapes.com/" title=""><em>cognacetapes.com</em></a>). So if you’re looking for an excuse for a pre-Christmas booze run, look no further.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/nov/23/savour-cognac-hike-dales-escape-berlin-hotel-zoo-joanne-oconnor">Continue reading...</a>TravelWine holidaysFranceDerbyshireBerlinUnited KingdomEnglandEuropeFood and drinkGermanySun, 23 Nov 2014 05:59:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/nov/23/savour-cognac-hike-dales-escape-berlin-hotel-zoo-joanne-oconnorPhotograph: AlamyMisty morning: Baslow Edge in Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park.Photograph: AlamyMisty morning: Baslow Edge in Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park.Photograph: Jakob HoffThe Leopard Passageway at the decadent Hotel Zoo in Berlin.Photograph: Jakob HoffThe Leopard Passageway at the decadent Hotel Zoo in Berlin.Photograph: AlamyPick of the bunch: grapes ripening in the sun in vineyards near Cognac. Photograph: AlamyPhotograph: AlamyPick of the bunch: grapes ripening in the sun in vineyards near Cognac. Photograph: AlamyJoanne O'Connor2014-11-23T05:59:02ZScotland's hills and glens in full colourhttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/09/joanne-oconnor-scottish-autumn
Autumn in Scotland, half term in the sun and holidays for wine lovers<p>You don't have to travel to New England for a spectacular show of autumn colours. The hills and glens of Perthshire turn golden in October. Prime spots are the Birks of Aberfeldy, immortalised by Robbie Burns; the Pass of Killiecrankie, with its dramatic river gorge, and the larch-covered hills around Dunkeld and Birnam. The Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival (<a href="http://pitlochryautumnfestival.co.uk" title="">pitlochryautumnfestival.co.uk</a>) celebrates the season with fireworks, storytelling, safaris, folk music and a sound-and-light show (until 29&nbsp;October; <a href="http://enchantedforest.org.uk" title="">enchantedforest.org.uk</a>). Stay at Craigmhor Lodge, a family-run guest house set in woodland near Pitlochry (<a href="http://craigmhorlodge.co.uk" title="">craigmhorlodge.co.uk</a>). Doubles from &pound;85.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/09/joanne-oconnor-scottish-autumn">Continue reading...</a>TravelUnited KingdomFamily holidaysFood and drinkWine holidaysSat, 08 Oct 2011 23:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2011/oct/09/joanne-oconnor-scottish-autumnInigo Bujedo Aguirre / View Pictures / Rex FeaturesHotel Marques De Riscal. Photograph: Rex FeaturesPaul Bock/AlamyAutumn comes to Scotland. Photograph: Paul Bock/AlamyPaul Bock/AlamyAutumn comes to Scotland. Photograph: Paul Bock/AlamyJoanne O'Connor2011-10-08T23:05:20Z